5 Things You Must Never Say to an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident in Georgia

Car accidents are a common occurrence on Georgia’s busy roads, and when they happen, insurance adjusters quickly get involved. When speaking with an insurance adjuster after a car accident in Georgia, it’s essential to be careful about what you say. Saying the wrong thing can jeopardize your case or even result in a lower settlement offer.

In this blog post, an experienced Douglasville car accident lawyer will detail the things you must never say to an insurance adjuster after a car accident in Georgia. This is the best way of protecting yourself and maximizing your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries and damages.

When it comes to negotiating a fair settlement, let an experienced Douglasville car accident lawyer talk to the adjuster and reach a satisfactory outcome.

Insurance Adjusters Are Not On Your Side

The insurance adjuster is not your friend. The adjuster’s job is to protect the interests of the insurance company, not you. Their primary objective is to settle your claim for as little money as possible and as quickly as possible.

Remember that the adjuster works for the other side, not yours. They are trained professionals who know how to extract information from people that can be used against them later in court or negotiations.

The adjuster may seem friendly and sympathetic on the phone or in person, but don’t let their demeanor fool you. They’re only trying to get information out of you so they can use it against you.

It’s important to remember that anything you say can and will be used against you if it helps their case. So always choose your words carefully when speaking with an insurance adjuster after a car accident in Georgia.

So, these are things that you must never say to an adjuster after a car accident:

Do Not Admit Fault

One of the most important things to remember after a car accident in Georgia is to never admit fault. Even if you think you may have been partially responsible, admitting fault can hurt your chances of receiving fair compensation for any damages or injuries sustained in the accident.

Even saying “I’m sorry” will be interpreted as an admission of guilt. The adjuster will duly note your words and twist them to fit their narrative.

If an insurance adjuster asks point blank if you were at fault, simply say that you can’t comment on this topic. The accident investigation will determine the percentage of fault for each party.

By following this advice, you’ll protect yourself from inadvertently incriminating yourself and jeopardizing your ability to receive fair compensation. Instead, let a Douglasville car accident lawyer guide you through the process of dealing with insurance companies so that your rights are protected every step of the way.

Do Not Speculate on the Causes of the Accident

It’s natural to want to know what caused your car accident, but when speaking with an insurance adjuster, it’s important not to speculate on the causes. Even if you think you have a good idea of what happened, suggesting possible causes can hurt your chances of getting the compensation you deserve.

A driver talking to an insurance adjuster after a car accident.

One reason for this is that Georgia is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents. This means that the person who is found to be responsible for causing an accident is also responsible for paying damages. If you admit fault or suggest that you may have contributed to the accident in any way, it could affect how much compensation you are able to receive.

Another reason why speculating on the causes of an accident can be harmful is that there may be other factors at play that you are unaware of. For example, there might have been a mechanical failure in one of the vehicles involved or hazardous road conditions that led to the crash.

By speculating about what happened, you risk overlooking these contributing factors and potentially hurting your claim.

Do Not Insult or Accuse the Other Driver

It’s natural to feel angry and frustrated after a car accident, especially if the other driver was clearly at fault. However, it’s important to remember that insulting or accusing the other driver will not do you any favors when speaking with an insurance adjuster.

Firstly, insults can come across as unprofessional and aggressive. This may cause the adjuster to be even less willing to settle your claim than usual.

Also, making accusations without concrete evidence can weaken your case. If you don’t have proof of the other driver’s negligence, such as eyewitness accounts or police reports, avoid making assumptions about what happened during the accident.

Instead of resorting to insults or accusations towards the other driver, focus on providing factual information about what occurred during the accident. Be sure to stick only with what you know for sure rather than letting emotions take over.

Remember that staying calm and professional during interactions with insurance adjusters will help ensure a smoother claims process for all parties involved.

Do Not Disclose a Pre-Existing Medical Condition

One thing you should never tell an insurance adjuster is a pre-existing medical condition. Even if the condition seems unrelated to the accident, disclosing it could lead the insurance company to argue that your injuries were not solely caused by the accident.

In addition, disclosing a pre-existing medical condition could also give the insurance company leverage in settlement negotiations. They may try to offer less compensation for your injuries by claiming that they were already present before the accident occurred.

It’s important to prioritize your own health and safety above all else after a car accident in Georgia. Seek medical attention promptly and follow any treatment plans recommended by your healthcare provider.

However, when speaking with an insurance adjuster, be cautious about what information you disclose. Stick to discussing only relevant details of the accident and avoid providing unnecessary personal or medical history.

Do Not Give a Recorded Statement

Many insurance adjusters will ask you to give a recorded statement concerning the car accident. They will either record you speaking or write the statement and ask you to sign it. Never ever do such a thing.

You may commit one of the mistakes we discussed above – only this time it will be directly attributable to you and will be used against you. Also, some of these statements include a waiver of any legal action. This practically bars you from seeking recovery.

Let an Experienced Douglasville Car Accident Lawyer Do the Talking

There are so many don’ts in this article and you may wonder: what am I supposed to do instead? What can I say to an insurance adjuster? The safest thing to say is that your Douglasville car accident lawyer will contact them shortly to discuss your accident claim.

Then, get in touch with Hartley, Rowe & Fowler, P.C. and schedule a free case review. An experienced lawyer will evaluate your case and explain your legal rights.

We are available 24/7 to schedule your free case review, so call us at 678-825-6004!

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